CENTREVILLE -- The challenger in St. Joseph County's two-man race for prosecuting attorney is hoping to unseat the man who hired him in 2005 -- and fired him in April.

Three Rivers native John McDonough, 28, is vying for the seat occupied by incumbent Douglas Fisher. Whichever of the candidates prevails in Tuesday's Republican primary is expected to begin a four-year term Jan. 1, as no Democrats have filed to run in the November election.

McDonough said he chose to run based solely on learning Fisher planned to retire mid-term and turn the office over to another assistant.

Fisher, 62, has since said he will serve the full, four-year term but nonetheless fired McDonough, an assistant prosecutor at the time of his dismissal, for seeking the job.

The drama created as a result of McDonough's firing has a number of St. Joseph County residents taking sides. Many are sticking with Fisher and his experience, while others plan to vote for McDonough because of what some have called Fisher's bully-like ways specific to the firing and the unceremonious manner in which he let McDonough go.

Fisher offered high praise for the way McDonough handled himself during his three-year period as an assistant prosecutor. But, Fisher added, the element of competition created as a result of the election challenge had the potential to break the unity in the prosecutor's office.

Douglas Fisher

"It's not an exaggeration to say letting John go was probably the saddest day of my life," Fisher said.

Fisher, who was appointed prosecutor in 2002 to replace Jeffrey Middleton, was unchallenged in the 2004 election. He said his priority is the safety of St. Joseph County's residents.

Fisher said the independent jurors, victims and opposing counsel who have endorsed him are people who have first-hand knowledge of his integrity and quality of work.

During the course of campaigning, Fisher has heavily stressed his experience as a major attribute qualifying him as the better candidate. He said the federal, state and county dollars spent for him on workshops, seminars and lectures specific to prosecuting attorneys have totaled more than $100,000 in the past six years.

If re-elected, Fisher will earn $85,366 because of his 21 years of seniority with the county. McDonough would step into the first-year level of pay, $68,652.

John McDonough

McDonough said though he lacks Fisher's experience, he holds strong credentials for the job. McDonough has campaigned strongly for St. Joseph County's youth and rehabilitation efforts for methamphetamine addicts.

McDonough, representing the prosecutor's office, oversaw community forums focusing on underage drinking and teen sex. He said the prosecutor should make a goal to spend at least one day a month in the county's high schools to maintain a presence and send a message that the prosecuting attorney is a person who can be trusted and is looking out for teens.

A 1998 Three Rivers High School graduate, McDonough is the son of Bob McDonough, the Fabius Township supervisor who previously served as Three Rivers mayor.

John McDonough said during his three years under Fisher, he was fortunate to have received ongoing training and attended numerous seminars geared specifically toward further educating assistant prosecutors.

During a candidate's debate against Fisher in early July, McDonough said if he was elected he would not fire an assistant who chose to challenge him for the prosecutor's position.

"I'd shake their hand and tell them good luck and more power to you for doing it," McDonough said.